Jack Mosely of Waseca was the winner of the big prize, taking home $1,650 during the New Richland Area Sportsmen’s Club annual ice fishing contest at St. Olaf Lake.
Ice fishing event draws hundreds
Wed, 02/22/2023 - 9:50pm
Southern Minnesota residents attending Saturday’s annual New Richland Area Sportsmen's Club ice fishing contest could not have asked for better weather: 40 degrees and sunny.
Hundreds gathered Saturday, even more than last year, from all over the southern part of the state from 10:30 a.m. until about 4 p.m. when events wrapped up.
During that time, according to Lee Mendenhall, more than 150 kids’ prizes were handed out..
“Everyone got a prize,” Mendenhall smiled.
The afternoon’s largest reward, the 50/50 prize of $1,650, went to Jack Mosley of Waseca.
Trey DeSchepper of New Richland won the $500 raffle.
Among the fishermen, the winners, all of whom have been ice fishing for more than a decade each, were returning competitors.
Jack Ruehling of Waterville captured the highest angler’s prize of $75 with a 1- pound-1-ounce bass. Ruehling said he didn’t think he was going to win, but joked he had a lucky beverage in one hand all afternoon.
Second place, and $50, went to Ryan Weber of Blooming Prairie for his 15-ounce bass. “No secrets, just luck,” Weber stated.
In third place was Cole Halsey of Faribault taking home $25 with his 13.5-ounce bass. “Stay hydrated,” Halsey joked. “That’s my secret.”
“It was a beautiful day and a nice turnout,” veteran announcer Karl Proehl stated. “We started a little slow, but finished strong.”
Proehl expressed gratitude to a long list of people and organizations who support the annual event he has announced since taking over from Bill Robinson when he passed away nearly 15 years ago. This year’s sponsors and some “helpers” included: Dennis Bouldan, Karl and Tammy Proehl, Jerry Iberson, Rod Hullopeter, Lee Mendenhall, Lorna Jacobson and many more.
The Sportsman’s Club would like to thank the following sponsors for their donations to this year’s event: Southside Marine – Neal Schauer, Free Minnows, Josh Moen Snow Removal, Country Edge Seed – Josh and Alex Moen, Shawn and Rose Loken, State Bank of New Richland, Main Street Dental, Golf Carts and More – Carter Routh, Scott Routh Insurance, Thompson Auto Body, New Richland Dish Network, Budach Implement – Gary, Dan and Nick, Rick Schultz – Southern Seed, Midwest Repairables, New Richland Home Supply, The Willows, Arnold’s Case – Tim Engebretson, Northern Country Coop, Ron Thorson – Jerky, Kibble Equipment, The Bend in the Road, Jeff Monacy, Interstate Junction Motorcycles, Albert Lea Seed, Neighbor’s Meats, Thirsty Beaver, Channel Seed, Seykora Automotive Repair, Schott Budweiser, NR Sportsman Club, Johnson Doerhoefer and Miner PA, Wuerflein Honda, Hi Yield Products – Hartland, Hanson Tire Service – Albert Lea, Riverview Golf Course, CMD Transport – former Schmidt Trucking, Star Eagle, MinnWest Insurance – Formerly Roundbank, Grant Berg Lawn Care, Nancy Jane’s Bakery, Kim’s 1st Impressions, Brian Mendenhall – Southern MN Pressure Washing, Pioneer Lane Janike, Scott and Robin Routh Crop Insurance, Wagner Foods, Red Leaf Café, Bohlen’s Plumbing and Heating, NR Auto Repair, T's Sweet Treats and More, Lerberg’s, RJ’s – Ellendale, Sorenson Appliance and TV, NRHEG Star Eagle, and New Richland Liquor Company.